The Future of the BBC World Service

The BBC World Service has been praised in a report  by the Media Standards Trust as essential for sustaining international reporting. At the same time speaking to the Guardian the author of the report Martin Moore expressed his concerns about the reform in the funding of the World Service.

I remember the first time I’ve heard the World Service. It was the Bulgarian language service. They were setting the journalistic standards for the local media during the transition period from communism to democratic society. 

Now after it influenced a large number of young journalists in the country the Bulgarian service is part of the past of the BBC. The World Service role of an intercultural communicator that establish link between nations who otherwise cut connections might be in danger.

BBC will have to take on responsibility from the Foreign Office for funding the international broadcaster, which will see a budget reduction of 16% over four years.

On that topic I had the chance to interview the prominent  writer, broadcaster and media consultant Steve Hewlett  for an assignment – a radio package for the M.A. course in International Journalism at the University of Westminster.

During the interview I realized the World Service is going through one of the most dramatic changes in its history. You can hear the package here and the whole interview here.

More References:

BBC World Service. (2010, October 29). Audio clips from various language programs. 

BBC World Service. (2010). BBC World Service Annual Review 2009/10

Tusa, J. (2010, October 20). The Future of the BBC. (BBC World Service, Interviewer)